I will be leaving Seattle April 30 2023 to lisbon and returning May 11.
I would like to spend 2 nights in madeira as well. Looking for suggestions on places to see and stay while in portugal. Want to emerse in the culture while taking in the sights.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
695 posts
Sorry to say but 2 nights is not enough to go to Madeira. It is a 2h flight there and back without counting pre and post flight time. I would concentrate on mainland portugal instead. But to answer your question, Funchal is the best town to stay, and if your are into hiking you could easily spent a week but it is better to have a car.
Posted by
stevens point, wi, usa
1194 posts
Hi from Wisconsin,
Sorry to agree with the previous response. Two nights, too short. Too much time, effort, and money to get there and back. Portugal has plenty to experience.
On the other hand, I do not want to short change what that island has to see and the food it offers. My goodness the flame cooked beef and chicken is so good it is hard to describe without sounding silly. Spears of it hung from the ceiling above your table.
wayne inwI
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4088 posts
Madeira is an old, very large volcano, so almost everything is on a slope. The villa I stayed at was about two kilometres from the city centre -- all at a 45 degree tilt or even more extreme. The airport is partly on stilts over the ocean to provice enough space for jets.
By car, the vistas are exciting. The food, especially seafood, is tantalizing and the wines surpisingly cheap.